Homophobic Attacks In France Up 78 Percent In 2013

SOS Homophobie has released a set of data regarding rising incidents of homophobic acts in France in 2013, including verbal, physical, and online assaults/bullying. The disturbing data, including a statistic that "reported acts of homophobia in France rose by 78 percent," can be correlated with intense vitriolic sentiments surrounding the legalization of same-sex marriage nearly a year ago.

“In the last twenty years the number of reports of incidents [of homophobia] received by our association have not stopped growing, but in 2013 they exploded,” the group's report read.

According to the watchdog the huge surge in the number of homophobic incidents was without doubt linked to the bitter row over the legalisation of gay marriage, which divided France and led to mass demonstrations that frequently ended in violent clashes between police and extremists.

LGBTQ people in France were no doubt pleased with the progressive legislation, but it did not come without a cost.

“There’s no doubt the rise in homophobic acts was linked to the context of the opposition against gay marriage,” Gregory Premon, from SOS Homophobie told The Local on Tuesday. “Homophobic words and statements became trivialised during this period and helped legitimize insults and homophobic violence.

“In recent months homophobic speech has become totally uninhibited in all spheres of society,” the organisation added in a statement.

The organization noted a marked rise in homophobic incidents online and at schools, two arenas that are largely populated by LGBTQ youth, as well as the prevalence of physically-harmful attacks. Last April alone, a Parisian couple (one person of which can be seen above left)and a young gay man in Nice (above right) were violently beaten.

Let's hope this disturbing trend comes to an end in 2014, aided by an increase in knowledge about and action against these homophobic incidents.

Comments

When slavery ended in the south, incidents of crimes against blacks rose sharply as well.

Bigotry and violence are evil brothers.

Posted by: johnny | May 14, 2014 8:54:03 AM

Good point Johnny. But that does raise hope as things gradually got better for African Americans.
People really need to post/email this data to the main vocal leaders of the opposition to same-sex marriage in France. If they don't feel ashamed then they are psychopaths.

Posted by: DANSWON | May 14, 2014 9:04:08 AM

What a shame, such things in the cradle of the Enlightenment.

Posted by: Pandion | May 14, 2014 9:27:10 AM

Like Johnny commented, when slavery ended violence against blacks rose. When Segregation and Jim Crow ended violence against blacks rose. When Blacks were given the right to vote violence against them rose. When women were giving the right to vote and work hate against them rose. When interracial marriage was in the eyes of everyone, violence against interracial couple rose. That violence only galvanized the movement and pushed freedom and progress forward. The violence that is occurring towards LGBT human beings is completely unacceptable but it is hurting the anti-gay side's uncivilized cause.

Posted by: Sean | May 14, 2014 9:36:46 AM

hollande bears a lot of responsibility for this. in a recent interview he admitted that he should have acted quickly in passing same-sex marriage. instead he drew out the debate for over a year allowing the right wing mostly catholic anti-gay forces to ratchet up the homophobic environment on the back of a deteriorating economy.

and now the socialist party has abandoned their promise of in vitro for lesbian couples. and surrogacy remains illegal for everyone.

so french gays still need to go to neighboring countries or the usa to access reproductive technologies. and what is worse very recently a court denied adoption rights to a lesbian whose partner had conceived a child abroad using pma.

really disgusting right wing catholic crap going on over there.

Posted by: candide | May 14, 2014 9:49:00 AM

Why are people surprised by this in France specific and Europe and general? so called European "enlightenment" has seen actions like this for CENTURIES.

Posted by: Perry | May 14, 2014 10:14:19 AM

The right wing concervatives are up everywhere in Europe and so is racism, too. Sadly these kind of news will continue in Europe.

Posted by: Matt27 | May 14, 2014 10:23:09 AM

These are fascist not conservatives. To call fascist conservatives is to call communists liberals.

Posted by: Perry | May 14, 2014 11:11:37 AM

I live in Europe and I do not trust Europe. I trust only USA, and I feel safer because USA exists.